Trauma is an emotional responsse to a distressing or disturbing event like a natural disaster, war, abuse, an accident, and the unexpected loss of a loved one. Immediately after the event shock and denial are typical. The longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches and stomach aches. These feelings are normal, but some people have difficulty moving forward due to inability to cope, feelins of helplessness, diminishes sense of self and feel range of emotions and experiences.
Childhood trauma events are scary and distressing experiences that involve actual harm or the threat of harm before age 18. A traumatic event can consist of a natural disaster, violence, a seirous injury, physical or sexual abuse. It can also include a severe fall, a broken bone or something as simple as scary movie. Children internal reaction are unique as they are; no two children experience an event the same way. For this reason, an event that causes trauma for one child may not cause trauma for another.
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma.
